JP2000187567A - Method and device for printing control - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate image data with designated resolution regardless of print data quantity when a host generates image data. SOLUTION: When data is fetched from a spool file, whether a buffer is full is judged (S302), and when it is full, fetching spool data is stopped and free capacity in a RAM is detected (S305). When there is space in the RAM, a buffer is added to the RAM (S307), and when there is no space, a buffer is added to an HDD (S309). Subsequently, image data are generated by using the added buffer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing control method and apparatus for transmitting image data generated from print data to a printing apparatus for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to print image data created by a host computer or the like, an image created by an application program for image processing or document processing on the host computer includes instructions and parameters that can be interpreted by a printer. Once converted to PDL data. The PDL data is transmitted to the printer and stored in a storage area set in advance by a printer controller that controls the printer. The printer controller creates dot image data based on the received PDL data, transmits the dot image data to a printer engine such as a laser beam system as an image signal, and prints the image.

In this case, if the storage area in the printer controller is insufficient, the printer controller executes a process of lowering the resolution and performs printing. If the storage area of the printer controller is still insufficient even after performing the process of lowering the resolution, an operator display indicating that printing is not possible is performed.

There is also a method in which image data is generated by a host computer, and the image data is transmitted to a printer for printing. In this case, the image data created by the application is once converted into print data such as PDL data and spooled, and the printer reads the spooled print data into a buffer to generate image data.

[0005]

However, in the above conventional example, when image data is generated by a printer,
There is a problem that printing at the resolution designated by the operator is not output depending on the size of the print data. Further, there is a problem that printing is not performed even after performing the process of lowering the resolution. This is mainly due to a shortage of the storage area of the printer controller. The only workaround was to expand the storage space.

[0006] Also, when image data is generated by a host computer, if the capacity of a buffer for extracting print data is insufficient, the resolution may be reduced as in the case of generating image data by a printer, or the printing itself may be reduced. Had to stop.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and provides a print control method and apparatus capable of performing printing at a resolution designated by an operator using a buffer of a fixed capacity regardless of the amount of print data. The purpose is to:

[0008]

To achieve the above object, the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, a printing control method for supplying image data to a printing apparatus, comprising: a storage step of fetching print data for image data generation processing and storing the print data in a buffer; and a detection step of detecting a used storage capacity of the buffer. And when the used storage capacity of the buffer reaches a predetermined amount, interrupting the acquisition of print data to detect a free area of the storage unit, and if there is a free area, a new buffer is stored in the storage unit. Allocating the print data to the buffer allocated by the allocating step, storing the print data in the storing step, and, when the necessary print data is completely stored, generating image data and transmitting the generated image data to the printing apparatus. .

Preferably, in the allocating step, a free area of the RAM is detected as the storage unit, and if there is a free area, a new buffer is allocated to the RAM.

Preferably, in the allocating step, a free area of an external storage unit is detected as the storage unit, and if there is a free area, a new buffer is allocated to the external storage unit.

Preferably, the allocating step first detects a free area of a RAM as the storage unit,
If there is a free area, a new buffer is allocated to the RAM. If there is no free area, a free area of the external storage unit is detected as the storage unit. If there is a free area, a new buffer is stored in the external storage unit. assign.

Preferably, the allocating step includes a step of, when it is determined that a new buffer cannot be secured in the storage unit, prompting an operator to enlarge a free area of the storage unit.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment. The system includes a host computer 101 for generating print data, and a printer 10 connected to the host computer 101 via a predetermined interface such as a Centronics interface.
And 2. Host computer 101
Is a CPU that controls the entire system, a memory that stores programs and data executed by the CPU and is also used as a buffer area, a communication interface for connecting to a printer, a spool area and a buffer area to be described later. Or a magnetic disk drive (HDD) for storing a program file according to a flowchart described later, and a floppy disk for reading or writing data from a medium storing the program file according to a flowchart described later. Includes a disk drive (FDD) and the like.

The printer 102 is connected to the host computer 1
A video controller 103 which receives the image data sent from the printer 01 and controls the printer 102;
A printer engine 104 for controlling electrophotographic processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, fixing and paper conveyance,
The printer engine 104 and the video controller 103 can communicate with each other via a video interface.

The video controller 103 sends the image data received from the host computer 101 to a printer engine 104 together with information such as a paper feed port and a paper size in a preset storage work area (not shown).

The printer engine 104 controls an electrophotographic process and performs a printing process based on the image data. Further, the video controller 103 detects the state of the printer 102 from the printer engine 104 and sends it to the host computer 101 as an engine status.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host computer in FIG. 1 by functional blocks.
Of the illustrated blocks, the spool area 203 and the buffers 205, 213, and 214 are realized by a memory or an HDD, and the other blocks are realized by executing a program by a CPU.

When an operator executes a printing process while using an application, print data is sent from the application 201 on the host computer to the printer driver 202. Data exchange during this time is performed in a format that allows the application 201 and the printer driver 202 to recognize each other.

The printer driver 202 converts the received print data into print data in a format that can be processed by the present system. The converted print data is stored in the spool area 203 in the host computer.

The print data generated by the printer driver 202 includes print environment information such as a paper feed port, paper size, print density, print surface, number of copies, print direction, and page information such as drawing code and bitmap data. included.

The resource controller 204 fetches print data existing in the spool area 203 by a fixed amount. For example, the data may be captured in units of 4 KB or 16 KB. When importing the first print data,
The page controller 206 is activated and print environment information is sent to the page controller 206. The page information is stored in the print data buffer 205. The resource controller 204 detects the state of the capacity of the print data buffer 205 every time the capture of the print data is completed. At this time, if the print data buffer 205 is in a full state, a free space in the RAM area or the hard disk area is detected, and an additional print data buffer is secured in the RAM area or the hard disk area. Then, after the image data is generated and transferred to the printer, the additional print data buffer is released.

The page controller 206 sends the print environment information received from the resource controller 204 to the engine controller 208. Then, a page to be printed is specified to the rendering controller 207. After the image data generation processing by the rendering controller 207 is completed, a print start command and image data are sent to the engine controller 208.

The rendering controller 207 extracts information of the page specified by the page controller 206 from the print data buffer. Then, the print data is converted into image data.

The engine controller 208 sends the print environment information and the image data received from the page controller 206 to the communication controller 209. Further, the state of the printer 102 is detected. The start of printing and the transmission of image data are performed in synchronization with the state of the printer 102.

The communication controller 209 controls communication between the host computer 101 and the printer 102. It is an input / output device interface unit such as a parallel port and a serial port.

The printer 102 includes a video controller 1
03 and the printer engine 104. The video controller 103 sends a print command specified by the host computer to the printer engine 104, and sends the status of the printer engine 104 to the host computer 101. Further, the received image data is transmitted as a video signal in synchronization with the processing of the printer engine 104.

Next, the procedure of the processing operation in the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the print data buffer 205
It is assumed that a certain amount of the available RAM capacity when the printing system is started is secured in advance. For example, assuming that the available RAM capacity is 40 MB, 5% of the available RAM capacity, that is, 2 MB, is secured as a print data buffer.

First, it is assumed that the user has designated the application 201 for printing. As a result, print data is sent from the application 201 to the printer driver 202. The printer driver 202 converts the received print data into print data in a format that can be processed by the present system. The converted print data is stored in the spool area 203 in the host computer. The procedure of FIG. 3 is shown from this point.

The resource controller 204 extracts the print data existing in the spool area 203 and stores the page information in the print data buffer 205 (S30).
1). Then, the state of the capacity of the print data buffer 205 is detected (S302).

If it is detected that the capacity of the print data buffer 205 is not full, it is determined whether all the print data has been taken in from the spool area 203 (S3).
03). If it is determined that the capture of all print data has not been completed, the capture of the print data is restarted from the spool area 203 and stored in the print data buffer 203, the additional print data buffer 213, and the print data buffer 214. The storage of the print data in the additional print data buffer 213 and the print data buffer 214 is performed only when an area is secured in the hard disk or the RAM.

If it is detected that the capacity of the print data buffer 205 is full, the capture of the print data from the spool area 203 is interrupted (S304). Then, a free space in the RAM area in the host computer is detected (S
305). Further, it is determined whether an additional print data buffer can be secured in the RAM area in the host computer (S3).
06). If it is determined that the additional print data buffer 213 can be reserved, the additional print data buffer 213 is reserved in the RAM area in the host computer (S30).
7). Then, the capture of the print data from the spool area 203 is resumed, and the print data is stored in the additional print data buffer 213.

When determining whether or not an additional print data buffer can be secured in the RAM area in the host computer, consideration must be given to use by other applications. Therefore, the reference value is determined in advance such that 20% of the available capacity is used for the additional print data buffer. The maximum value and the minimum value are also determined in advance. For example, it is assumed that the maximum value is 4 MB and the minimum value is 512 KB. If the usable capacity is 10 MB, 2 MB can be secured as an additional print data buffer. If the usable capacity is 30 MB, 4 MB can be secured as an additional print data buffer. If the usable capacity is 2 MB, an additional print data buffer cannot be secured.

If it is determined that the additional print data buffer 213 cannot be secured in the RAM area in the host computer, a free space in the hard disk area in the host computer is detected (S308). Further, an additional print data buffer 21 is provided in a hard disk area in the host computer.
It is determined whether or not No. 4 can be secured (S309). If it is determined that the additional print data buffer 214 can be reserved, the additional print data buffer 214 is reserved (S307). Then, the capture of the print data from the spool area 203 is resumed, and the print data is stored in the additional print data buffer 214.

When it is determined whether or not an additional print data buffer can be secured in the hard disk area in the host computer, the same processing is performed as when it is determined whether or not the additional print data buffer can be secured in the RAM area.

If it is determined that the capture of all print data has been completed, image data is generated and transferred to the printer (S311). And RA in the host computer
It is determined whether an additional print data buffer is secured in the M area or the hard disk area (S312). If it is determined that the additional print data buffer is reserved, the additional print buffer in the RAM area or the hard disk area in the host computer is released (S31).
3).

If it is determined that the additional print data buffer 214 cannot be secured in the hard disk area in the host computer, a display prompting the operator to add a RAM and enlarge the free area of the hard disk is displayed (S310).

According to the above configuration and procedure, if there is not enough space in the buffer for taking in the print data from the spool file, an additional buffer area is secured in the RAM or the hard disk so that the R for the buffer can be obtained.
Even without adding an AM, it is possible to prevent a shortage of buffers and generate image data at a specified resolution.

[0039]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

An object of the present invention is to provide a system or an apparatus with a storage medium storing the program code of the procedure of FIG. 3 for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus. Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. The case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Printing at the resolution specified by the operator can be guaranteed without being affected by the amount of print data.

Further, by generating the image data by the host, the cost of the printer can be reduced and the printing at the resolution specified by the operator can be guaranteed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a printing system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a host computer.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A printing control method for supplying image data to a printing apparatus, comprising the steps of: fetching print data for image data generation processing and storing the print data in a buffer; A detecting step of detecting, when the used storage capacity of the buffer reaches a predetermined amount, interrupts the capture of print data to detect a free area of the storage unit, and when there is a free area, Allocating a new buffer, comprising:
A print control method, wherein print data is stored in the storing step, and when storage of necessary print data is completed, image data is generated and transmitted to a printing apparatus. 2. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein the allocating step detects a free space in the RAM as the storage unit, and if there is a free space, allocates a new buffer to the RAM. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the allocating step, a free area of an external storage unit is detected as the storage unit, and if there is a free area, a new buffer is allocated to the external storage unit. Print control method. 4. The allocating step includes: first detecting a free space in a RAM as the storage unit; if there is a free space, a new buffer is allocated to the RAM; 2. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein a free area of the storage unit is detected, and if there is a free area, a new buffer is allocated to the external storage unit. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the allocating step includes a step of, when it is determined that a new buffer cannot be secured in the storage unit, prompting an operator to enlarge a free area of the storage unit. Claim 1
3. The printing control method according to 1. 6. A printing control apparatus for supplying image data to a printing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit for fetching print data for image data generation processing and storing the fetched print data in a buffer; Detecting means for detecting, when the used storage capacity of the buffer reaches a predetermined amount, interrupts the acquisition of print data to detect a free area of the storage unit; Allocating means for allocating a new buffer, wherein the buffer allocated by the allocating means comprises:
A print control device, wherein print data is stored by the storage means, and when storage of necessary print data is completed, image data is generated and transmitted to a printing device. 7. The print control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the allocating unit detects a free area of the RAM as the storage unit and, if there is a free area, allocates a new buffer to the RAM. 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the allocating unit detects a free area of an external storage unit as the storage unit, and allocates a new buffer to the external storage unit when there is a free area. Print control device. 9. The allocating means first detects a free area of a RAM as the storage unit, and if there is a free area, allocates a new buffer to the RAM. 7. The print control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a free area of the storage unit is detected, and if there is a free area, a new buffer is allocated to the external storage unit. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the allocating unit determines that a new buffer cannot be secured in the storage unit.
7. The printing control apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: means for performing a display prompting an operator to enlarge an empty area of the storage unit. 11. A storage means for fetching print data for image data generation processing by a computer and storing the print data in a buffer; a detection means for detecting a used storage capacity of the buffer; Allocating means for allocating a new buffer to the storage unit when the storage capacity of the storage unit reaches a predetermined amount, interrupting the acquisition of print data and detecting a free area of the storage unit, and when there is a free area, A storage medium for storing a program for realizing transmission means for generating image data and transmitting the generated image data to a printing apparatus when storage of print data necessary for the printer is completed.